Bisexual Women of Toronto, 1994-Present

Informational brochure for Bisexual Women of Toronto, 1990s

A different iteration of the informational brochure for Bisexual Women of Toronto, 1990s

Bisexual Women of Toronto, or BIWOT for short, was co-founded in 1994 by community organizer Karol Steinhouse and another woman, whose name is not currently known. The group still exists and serves the bisexual women's community in Toronto today. Similarly to the OBN/TBN, much of BIWOT’s activism efforts and politics were heavily informed by exclusion and negative attitudes towards bisexuality. Indeed, a lot of these exclusionary attitudes came from radical lesbian feminist ideologies that had been permeating in the queer women's community since the 1970s. BIWOT was thus established as a safe and affirming space for women who either suspected or had already confirmed their bisexuality, and wanted to connect with others who could relate to their experiences. BIWOT's existence was especially important as the first bisexual women's support and discussion group, Bykes, had dissolved a few years earlier in 1991, leaving behind a need for a women-focused bisexual space.

A number of bisexual women who were involved as facilitators or long-time members of BIWOT emphasized the variety of needs that were addressed within their space. Discussion and support meetings, social activities, and educational action were the main avenues through which bisexual women involved in the group connected with each other. Indeed, as shown in the information brochures to the left, BIWOT branded itself as "a safe place for bisexual women, or women who are interested in bisexuality, to discuss and listen to various perspectives on current bisexual issues. We offer support, a social network, information and referral to other bisexual organizations and services. We also offer the opportunity to become politically involved in bisexual issues…We are a diverse group of women who try to foster inclusivity by welcoming and encouraging women of diverse backgrounds and experiences…We also welcome transsexual and transgendered women."

Siren Magazine article featuring Bisexual Women of Toronto, 2001

Many friendships were formed within BIWOT's sphere, and bisexual women in the group would often accompany each other to queer women's events when they felt overwhelmed or out of place. This demonstrates how their support system was maintained even outside of the group's discussion space at the 519 Community Centre in Toronto's gay village. According to one of BIWOT's long-time facilitators, Dana Shaw, the group also "incorporated things having to do with women’s rights and choice and things of that nature and incorporated some [lesbian] politics." Other topics of discussion included experiences with abuse and harassment, as well as the difficulties of flirting with men versus flirting with women.

BIWOT also sought to make their space a safe one to explore romantic and sexual desire with other queer women. This was especially pertinent for women who were just entering queer women's community for the first time after coming from heterosexual experiences. This highlights the enrichment of these relationships for bisexual women’s personal and political lives. However, it was not only women who had come from the "straight world" who entered BIWOT's space; people who had formerly identified as lesbians would also often come to the group to explore their potential or confirmed bisexuality.

Pamphlet titled "Bisexual Issues in Community Services" created by Bisexual Women of Toronto, 1990s

Women who were part of BIWOT also involved themselves in other bisexual community building ventures in Toronto, such as: sustained involvement with the mixed gender Toronto Bisexual Network, organizing community arts and performance events such as the Bi Bash, creating zines, volunteering with Pride or the Dyke March, and even helping to coordinate activities for the queer women's bathhouse, Pussy Palace.

In sum, bisexual women made significant contributions to bisexual communities, as well as the wider queer landscape in Toronto. They crafted a prominent safe space through BIWOT that influenced other spheres of bisexual life and community building in the city amidst negative attitudes towards bisexuality. After the sudden and tragic passing of co-founder Karol Steinhouse, BIWOT became an even more critical space to preserve for bisexual women's sense of community. A former BIWOT facilitator once noted, "It provided the structure for me in a time in my life when I really, really needed to feel like I belonged somewhere and I got that. I really got that."